Left pow'r exerted, but without fuccefs, Ye once were justly fam'd for bringing forth And in the firmament of fame still shines, And feem, if judg'd by their expreffive looks, Say mufe (for education made the fong, While colts and puppies coft us fo much care? Be it a weakness, it deserves some praise, We love the play-place of our early days; The scene is touching, and the heart is stone That feels not at that fight, and feels at none. The wall on which we tried our graving skill, The very name we carv'd fubfifting still, The bench on which we fat while deep employ'd, Playing our games, and on the very spot, The chalky ring, and knuckle down at taw, This fond attachment to the well-known place X 3 Maintains Maintains its hold with fuch unfailing fway, We feel it ev'n in age, and at our latest day. Hark! how the fire of chits, whofe future share With his own likeness plac'd on either knee, And tells them, as he strokes their filver locks, That palliates deeds of folly and of fhame) He gives the local bias all its fway, Refolves that where he play'd his fons fhall play, And destines their bright genius to be shown The rude will fcuffle through with ease enough, Th' event is fure, expect it and rejoice! The great indeed, by titles, riches, birth, Excus'd th' incumbrance of more folid worth, Are best difpos'd of, where with most success They may acquire that confident addrefs, Those habits of profufe and lewd expence, That fcorn of all delights but those of sense, Which though in plain plebeians we condemn, With fo much reafon all expect from them. But families of lefs illuftrious fame, Whose chief distinction is their fpotlefs name, Whose heirs, their honors none, their income fmall, Must shine by true defert, or not at all, What dream they of, that with so little care They risk their hopes, their dearest treasure there? The father who defigns his babe a priest, And while the playful jockey fcours the room In fancy fees him more fuperbly ride In coach with purple lin'd, and mitres on its fide. Which only a parental eye forefees, A public school shall bring to pass with ease. But |